Big wave kayaking - Tao Berman 2012

Tao Berman is revered as one of the worlds most innovative kayakers. Berman has pushed the sport to new limits and is doing it again with "Big wave kayaking."
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[@chobson1989]

That same week I was paddling into bigger waves in the UK, no support, no cameras... its such a shame that me, 3x world surf kayak champion can not even get to speak to a company like redbull to get support for something like this, and tao berman can get them to support him to do this...'towed into big waves...' more like Bounce uncontrollably down a big wave.... I have utmost respect for Tao, as he has pushed kayaking to new limits, but stick to what you know, stick to the rivers... The big companies should look further than the end of their nose and give someone like me a chance! Surfing the biggest wave in a kayak is my dream, and my goal, i will do it with or without their support.

[@alisternelson2273]

i totally agree , but the funny thing is that you say stick to what he knows , most of his videos show how much he doesn't know even a stick can get down a water fall and i think the stick has more brains anyway . (I'm no grade 5 paddler or big wave kayaker , i just do the small stuff so far)

[@oregonxyz]

everybody wants to be a celebrity - all of us "average" people are very bored with all the cat-fighting amongst the look-at-me crowd

[@BugTheRoot]

It is all about marketing, mate

[@pebblespaddles]

@@alisternelson2273 your assumption that waterfalls are easy to run shows your lack of understanding and kayak ability

[@theyrinthewalls]

No you weren’t lol

[@shr3ddd557]

This video was a dissapointment and god dam that guy holds himself on a throne

[@meatballpit]

I disliked because he said he could think of nothing more and is "retiring from paddling"...there is always more to shoot for my friend

[@jacobrutherford2407]

Yeah like take on Nazare or peahi then your in the big waves

[@jakedavid2523]

Or like paddling into a wave. He’d get rocked at an average beach break a couple feet overhead

[@jamesbadham228]

Or just drive down the coast to Mav's. The whole Red Bull, overproduce, over-edited thing is just bullshit.

[@nomzu1]

kook

[@Mega1trigger]

hey tao, you might even want to surf some small ones...just so you can learn how to surf.

[@music4lifesux]

4:00 "At that point when I'm getting rag-dolled end over end I realized how significant you are out there" I think he meant INsignificant, or maybe he just thinks he's more important than the waves.

[@C---M]

***** hehehe hey man it takes a lot to think, talk and sound important at the same time :)

[@davidly8059]

Lol I think he meant insignificant

[@charleyhibschweiler4555]

The second one

[@masonmonnie]

This had me crying

[@tr3nta345]

Hopefully he does, who sees waves as more important than themselves

[@199hamill]

tao berman.. the most hated pro in kayaking

[@jessicatritt3458]

who Tao he is better then you will ever be I bet you did not run a 98 foot waterfall like him

[@alexsolli6680]

lol this chick tf

[@gabrieldeschenes607]

Ya Jessica Tritt u can’t run such a drop ether so stfu! My step dad Brent Cooper competed many times with that dushe and he know for a fact that he’s the cockyest kayaker he’s ever met!

[@lordofnothing.]

@@jessicatritt3458 i'm sure he is not hated for his achievements, but for his character ^^

[@Romany1111]

Basically a Red Bull ad. Berman's "performance" was heavily edited because he was unable to do anything near what he thought he'd be able to do. Doesn't understand ocean/surf kayak skills and is not interested in learning. He collected his check, I am sure.

[@AdventTour_net]

There is a realy awsome Kayak-Surfing movie by Steve Fisher. There you can realy see, what is possible in a Surf-Kayak

[@Romany1111]

THeQUAKt Thanks. Also check out "Fly Don't Fall" featuring Chris Hobson (UK) boater.

[@stoneweasel]

THeQUAKt It is a cool film but still does not really begin to show what is doable in a surf kayak. Steve, while an amazing paddler, will still very much admit that he still has a lot to learn about surf kayaking. He does seem to be keen to learn and become great in the surf though so fair play to him.

[@dickylobster]

Every wave no matter what the size, is a challenge and an adventure in life. One day in the surf and you want to retire? Your not a Waterman.

[@soad4ever16]

Exactly my thoughts!

[@byronpratt9697]

You’re*

[@mortuimordent7866]

Indeed i'm not that good but the trill is what makes it fun not some camera or the attention

[@pebblespaddles]

dude he literally pushed the limits of kayaking for most of his young adult life. we both know you cant say the same.

[@Belisarius277]

@@pebblespaddles if you look at the video i mostly see gravity collaborating with poor risk assesment. But hey, apparantly falling flat on your face equals "pushing the limits".To me this is just testing the tolerance of nature with stupidity

[@joynthis]

Tow Berman.

[@jacksonplymale3355]

Bro this is already an entire sport. It's called downwind surfski. Thousands of people have done this before you, and for many decades. It pisses me off that he thinks he's a professional.

[@seanbaskett5506]

There is enough Seafoam at Lincoln City to clean the fuel system of every car and truck ever made since 1900

[@prephasfallen5168]

How about you actually paddle out, then paddle a wave instead of getting towed outside and then towed into every wave.

[@wav3rider808]

Why wouldn't he try to paddle into big wave as the next step? Everyone in surfing knows the real talent of big wave surfing is not towing in it is paddling in!

[@patrickwilliamson29]

"I'm retiring from paddling" Don't you do sports for the enjoyment not to say "I won"

[@Clan501-Scotland]

I know old guys with beer bellies who would have ridden that wave better first time.

[@jimyoung1133]

Hey, Nothing wrong with Old beer bellies ;)

[@Antipodean33]

You must've seen me kayak surfing

[@LVC85costa]

just not amazed... its like a big budget experiment... no paddling, no carving, and he kinda just accepted that pounding. should have done a lot with that wave plus he got a tow in...

[@Romany1111]

Yup. Much ado about nothing.

[@SenateDebates]

You do it

[@guidingmike2823]

Why do I get the impression that Tao Berman smokes a lot of dope and got his way through life paid by his father?

[@wrybread]

Harsh! The guy is at the top of his sport, he deserves respect, in my opinion at least. But back on topic, I'm surprised to see him getting towed in. I'd have thought with all the extra push and speed of a kayak he could paddle into those waves.

[@jessicatritt3458]

Tao is the best at his sport

[@Hobojoemama]

@@wrybread From my experience, kayaks are much too buoyant and would just get taken out if attempted to paddle into those waves and even smaller waves. It's not like a surfboard where you can just dive into the wave when paddling out. Shorter kayaks like that, and kayaks of a similar size like whitewater kayaks, are not very fast at all (against a current). They're made to ride waves and currents, not against them. A sea kayak or surfski, on the other hand, are long and narrow. Those are built for speed and cut through water and waves much easier. I'm not trying to defend Tao cause he seems like a d-bag and there's so many more qualified people that could be filmed kayak surfing than him, but I'm seeing a lot of ignorance in the comments about him being towed and the capabilities of that type of kayak lol

[@wrybread]

@@Hobojoemama Agreed those aren't kayak friendly waves, but it's waaaay badass to seem him surfing him on those highly inappropriate craft. I like surfing the wrong craft in waves too, love to ride everything from surfski (S1-X) to my crappy old Necky Jive. But certainly not in waves like those. But I'd love to ride my Jimmy Lewis Bombora SUP in there, no jetski needed... But man, have to admire the beating he took at 3:50.

[@Hobojoemama]

​@@wrybread Hell yeah, most of my kayak surfing experience is in sea kayaks, which is loads of fun especially when you've got an old plastic boat you can beat up and not worry about. I mainly mess around in a Venture Capella 166, and a bit in a P&H Delphin though its my newest kayak If Tao has one thing going for him, he can definitely take a beating

[@savagecabage]

"thats the same things that waves around going to do, push you forward" great, thanks for the physics lesson there mate

[@barendvh100]

Not too impressed to be honest. There's a 70 year old lady who surfs bigger waves than this with a entry-level paddle ski at Santa Catalina reef in Panama. Look her up.

[@adamatch9624]

If you ain’t done it shut up

[@jameswoods1415]

It took three years to prep for medium sized waves? Give me a kayak red bull, this was lame.

[@Scootchels]

That is some big wave action...but he needs to stick to rivers. His technique sucks with no carving or turns. Look up Costa Rica surf kayaking. Those cats rip.

[@jesterthezombie6923]

Okay....Biggest I saw there was about 30ft.... I've kayak surfed 55(ish)ft in Mullaghmore, about an hour's drive from my house. This guy should come visit, he'd be in for a shock.

[@Norwegian733]

But that would take him 10 years, as this "project" took him 3 years....

[@trdaniel37]

I kayak surf. What you're describing sounds incredible and beyond what I could imagine.

[@stoneweasel]

Just check out what Dessie McGlinchey does on a regular basis ;)

[@laidbacklocalproductions6717]

Respect to you

[@jamesbadham228]

Jeez, that's insane. Kayaking Mullaghmore sounds like going over Niagra Falls on a 2x4. Yikes.

[@ctophman1]

Who on Earth does this guy think he is? Growing up with an uncle that kayaks all the time, I've been to the beach just to watch him surf the waves. This is NOT a new sport, but has been around for a long time,and when my uncle was a child,it was still around.What pisses me off is when people like this act like they are inventing a new sport, or innovating a current one to a new level.Tao does not have any respect from me,never act this egotistic,when a sport has been around longer than his life.

[@SeanMorley100]

Tao, if you think those were the biggest waves surfed in a kayak you are deluding yourself and conning your sponsors and everyone else. You may be the first to get towed into a wave and congratulations for that but the biggest wave - no way. I know I have surfed bigger and so have others. Of course our challenge is to capture it on film like you did...

[@Geeraffe]

Clearly he has never seen the John Christensen surf ski at pipeline video from the late eighties - Taos performance was lame in comparison

[@battlefish8366]

umm Dose the team ( Goat boat ) come to anyone else's mind. Not say this is not hard what he did. But there are Crew in oz that did this in the 80"s. With no support or water cameras for that matter. This poor guy has got nothing but whingy hate for this vid. Just get out there and do it for your self if your better then he...

[@nadamasdisponible]

he's not even paddling into them?

[@solsurfer1558]

3 Years Preparation 🤔 For That 🤔 Then You Retire 🤔 COME ON BRO GO RIDE CLOUDBREAK , G-LAND SOMEWHERE THERES SO MUCH OCEAN OUT THERE .

[@graemestevens3560]

Kids an absolute beater

[@Romany1111]

Very cool, but Mr. Berman holds this record for himself only. There are a lot of amateur and a few pro kayak surfers from N. California who routinely surf faces this tall and higher, in stock/production boats. Red Bull needs to do a little research before they jump on marketing ideas that hold no water.

[@Dan-Rather]

So many comments deleted... maybe by YT? Reguarless, Tao is a joke, there are dozens of surk kayakers that regularly take on bigger and more committing waves. Plus, anypne that saw Tao "training" for this wave knows that he wouldn't even get jm the water with other paddlers. He was a joke in the paddle-surf scene. 🤡👌🤡

[@martibridges1]

I'm with Jamey Moore who says no one retires from kayaking. I'm 57 and still running whitewater after 36 years. It's only Class III and IV, but still. And surf kayaking is a lot harder than river whitewater for sure. Glad to see Tao trying something new.

[@ValerieprimcessAmanda]

I'm 54 and when it gets delivered I'll just be beginning kayaking. :)

[@etspacejams]

why are you getting towed in when you're in a kayak?!?! Paddle that shit! you could definitely get enough speed to drop in, they go faster than surfboards and surfers paddle into waves like that. Last project? Tow surfing is only critical in 50ft+ waves or giant slabbing barrels. oh that should be his next project. get towed into teahupoo or the right on a kayak! yew get shacked

[@behrensf84]

Now you should do it with an 18 foot sea kayak...

[@Rixoms]

Bloody egg beater :) guys have been dropping in on paddle skis for awhile. I remember big punch outs in the parking lot between the paddle skiers and surfers when I was a wee grom surfing in East London South Africa.

[@TrollsRolling]

Red Bull tastes like piss and it ruins your teeth, just like piss does.

[@seanstenberg1559]

Balls dude! Now how back to Chili Bar.

[@MrMatt80s]

AWESOME, but instead of retirement now its time to pack a fishing rod into your yak and chase a marlin!!

[@padlnjones]

what struck me was "I am in it for the challenge. no challenge, so i retire." what about the joy of surfing and paddling (I do both)....

[@kaibe5241]

That shot at the end is awesome, showcases just how big those waves are.

[@advancegraphics6400]

Very nice Cheers, 🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺

[@oregonxyz]

all he kind of did was bounce down the face -- & yeah -- keep kayaks out of the lineup -- they just get in the way for his next project - he should destroy as many sups as he can - I hate sweepers

[@jraustinable]

Now that's just lazy surfing

[@gretazagarino]

Wow... can't believe the haters have nothing better to do. Tao made a living at a sport he loved, and he did push the envelope for all of the punks doing his same tricks today. Like him or hate him, he's managed to do something I admire: play to work and work to play. He made a living, providing for his family... kayaking. Congratulations, Tao, you have way more fans than haters who have respect for all that you do. Nuff said.

[@Dan-Rather]

But he was rude and inconsiderate. He ignored the whole aurf kayak community during his prep for this.... he even came out to Jalama to "train" for three days. Many of us were catching overhead bombs while he sat on the beach and drank. He never got wet 🤡🤡🤡🤡

[@darcydejoux3614]

I thought it was cool I m into surfing but can appreciate what he did

[@dezionlion]

No do it on fire at Teahupoo!

[@surfingwithsnakes]

Is it just me or does this place look like mavs

[@stokeiometry]

drop in at Pipe! get pitted, get spat out a barrel, there are way more gnarlier crap to do. even the river waves the bombflow crew hits up looks gnarlier. C'mon redbull !

[@madmiguelh2o]

You're right. Even the rivers he paddled earlier in his career are way more serious than towing into big waves. the same goes for some of these really tall drops too though. They are impressive but the threats are more about injury than drowning. Rush Sturges and Steve Fischer just paddled the Congo river with like 1.5 million cfs. That makes this big wave thing seem like class 3. But whatever its still cool.

[@pantone95330]

Seems quite practical to perform the "turtle" duck dive

[@Mega1trigger]

dude is a complete hype. like seriously he never surfs a wave, not one. He gets annihilated in one wave and he rides down the shoulder of several others. He has no idea what a bottom or top turn is. there's not one shot without a jetski sitting on his shoulder ready to grab him. what a joke...embarassment to the actual good surf kayakers out there. kayakers that can even paddle out in big surf.

[@allegedrain878]

5:19 anybody else see the ray in the wave

[@phoenixsos22]

It's kinda boring when you are to big for a sport. I mean, when u have done more than anyone can do on a kayak, when there is nothing harder than you have done before... then you retire as a profesional paddler. I think that's what he means. Make sure he will still paddling by his own and with friends also.

[@Mrrussboy83]

I don't get it; just looked at his website and it really does look like its all a job to him, no where does he say he loves kayaking or he loves surfing. It's all about doing other sports and setting goals. Sounds like he treats it as a job, where's the passion. It must be somewhere?

[@ChristelVinot]

retiring from paddling?? nah you're still gonna paddle right?? I can't imagine ever stopping, until my body is incapable!

[@jfotogs]

When guys like Tao "retire" from kayaking, that means they're off the pro circuit. Most of these guys still paddle recreationally, they just tire of the show and the constant need to put yourself in harms way to appease sponsors.

[@onthewaterr]

This guy[Tao Berman] "retired" from kayaking, which shows that he didn't love the sport and more so thought of it as a job.. I will kayak till I'm dead which it is impossible to retire from something you love.

[@TheSocietyOfCondors]

you can't have a career in kayaking, unless your a teacher, teaching new people how to role. its so much more then that and its not something you can retire from, the thought of that is ridiculous

[@DailyBreathwork]

Doesn't he mean that he realized how INsignificant you are out there after getting hit by that big wave?

[@RuediKlein]

ok, different question: what were those black things in the water? don't think they were swimmers, but they looked like he even hit some of them while kayaking

[@jmc1271]

ok...not sure how much of a Tao fan I am...regardless, I have 2 words: English Channel. The bloakes have been working the waves in their Makos since the 90's.

[@koreanature]

Wow, That's a great video. I will always cheer for you in Korea I'm looking forward to a great video. Have a nice day.

[@virtue696]

used to see a couple in the 90s in australia but havnt seen one in over a decade thank god...now its just those irritating stand up paddle boards.....

[@scottyemccomas]

Im always curious about stuff like this, why wouldn't he just learn to surf its more efficient and will have more area to progress ie airs, turns, etc?

[@baker35000]

imagine how this could affect the lives of paralyzed surfers? or those who have lost leg(s) in surfing accidents, this could be way to get them back out??

[@paightonadelaida]

The haters here are the kooks still in Jr high who pulled into a head high wave once and now think they're Laird Hamilton.

[@dlangpap]

Want to evolve? Stand up...Try surfing on a river, maybe SUP? Then go to some really big waves, not that mushy stuff.

[@alexsurfingwaves]

Hey Tao! I have a challenge for you... why don't you try and cayac down a glacier!!! That would really be narlly!

[@Antipodean33]

I think there would still be a bigger challenge for you, if thats what you think you couldn't find and thats bigger waves

[@jkdsagkjgasd]

tao Berman is a god!!!! does anyone know the name of the song which start at 4:15....is such a nice song :)

[@mvulch]

sorry but those waves are nowhere near 40 feet. he was being pulled onto the shoulder of already broken waves.

[@Stuarty]

I just lost five and a half minutes of my life and I want them back.

[@maryellengodfrey]

Why I listen on 2.0 speed .

[@graffitiworldclass]

he means retire from doing it as a profession , do you really believe he will stop kayaking... common sense

[@199hamill]

@givealittletakealot tyler bradt has the current world record. tao set it a few times a few years ago.

[@jesse8111]

@jameymoore1995 I think he means retire from being a professional, he's not going to stop paddling.

[@asushiiiPDX]

the Truck is an MXT International, and the location is Nelscott Reef in Lincoln City, OR

[@douglassexton1100]

Typical surfers are unwelcoming never want to share waves. Kayakers are the opposite, the more the people the better!

[@linebacker79]

It’s called wave ski surfing. They have been doing it in South Africa for almost a century

[@GuyCruls]

such mini kayaks...what is the brand and model for an entry-level person on a budget? many thanks! also lookin' for a great forum...

[@kayasper6081]

That's a nice retirement! I love to surf waves in my kayak too, but what you do is next level. Didn't you go for a swim not once? Impressive.

[@mozdickson]

Whole Lotta Hating Going On. TBH he didn't seem to even know if he was going left or right on the right, but in saying that --- bigger then I've ever surfed, so props to you mate.

[@MattScoots3940]

I didn't know that Justin Timberlake was a big wave surfer

[@fxlcovlxdimir]

The water in the foam area looks like marshmallows been melted a lot

[@tanman9954]

The frist part is so funny

[@4sizle]

thats a pretty bad ending.....

[@Myggenn]

I dont understand how you guys do it, I looks so easy, but its not

[@stevennorris3641]

Don't stop there. Get 17 or 18 foot kayak with a skeg. Control. Catch a tube.

[@DailyBreathwork]

Why would he retire? That doesn't make any sense.

[@dleebox2268]

I think yu topped out bro, unless you wanna go climb with Alex Honnold😅😎

[@EvanUthus]

Kinda silly, Tao Berman is not a freestyle boater, I'd rather watch Benny Marr

[@mikepatterson8687]

the concept is interesting but it's no reason to stop paddling.... keep flowing with the river

[@PilgrimShred]

It's a damn good thing he decided to retire... only a matter of time til he destroyed himself for good. It's amazing what he's accomplished so far, and to still be in one piece, he gets my respect big time. Cheers to a great career Tao!

[@symphonyfarm2009]

Seriously - get barreled in a kayak and then retire. Or even better, land a barrel roll a la boogie boarding style!

[@SluiceCrew]

Tao Berman has every right to have an ego, have you seen half the stuff he has done on the rivers, its not even an ego, its pure balls, you have to respect that. You should also be greatful that he is bringing such publicity to surf kayaking. And lastly, nobody said he was the best, he clearly says in the video that he wants to challenge himself. Now get back to work.

[@scottyemccomas]

@ToysCollective It the air bulbs on the end of bull kelp

[@GordKayaksStuff]

Who the hell would ever want to "retire" from kayaking?

[@paulpage9367]

No surfing or kayak surfing here, no bottom turns, decent carving, more like just running scared............

[@5084204]

Only a gay who likes one night stand. Awful approach.

[@vincentvolvox5862]

What?? He's TOWING into these??? Gay. What a kook